What Is a Mint Mark?

A mint mark is a letter or other symbol that identifies the mint at which a given coin has been made. On most U.S. coins, the mint mark will be a D (for the Denver or Dahlonega mint), an S (for San Francisco), P was used (for Philadelphia), CC (for Carson City.) or a W (for West Point). The positions of the mint marks on some of the currently circulating U.S. coins are given below, but keep in mind that if the mint mark is absent, the coin was minted at Philadelphia.

Example Mint Mark Locations

Indian Head penny the mint mark is on the reverse below the wreath. A mint mark was only used in 1908 and 1909.

Indian Head or Buffalo nickel: on the reverse below the denomination of FIVE CENTS.

Jefferson Nickel since 1968, the mint mark follows the date on the obverse.

Roosevelt Dime since 1968, the mint mark is right above the date on the obverse.

Washington Quarter since 1968, the mint mark is on the obverse at the four o'clock position, just behind the ribbon on Washington's hair.

Statehood Quarter, the mint mark is just below "In God We Trust" on the obverse.

Franklin half dollar: on the reverse just above the Liberty Bell between the two bolts protruding from the top of the wooden yoke.

Kennedy half-dollar: In 1964 it was on the reverse just below the left talon of the eagle and above the word HALF. From 1968 until the present, it is on the obverse just below the truncation of Pres. Kennedy's bust and above the middle to numerals of the date.

History of Mint Marks

Originally, mint marks were added to coins to indicate the coining facility that produce the coin in case there were any problems with the coin's metallic composition. In the early days of The United States Mint coining facilities were located where coins were needed the most and raw material was most plentiful.

The main coining facility for The United States Mint is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and began production in 1793. Subsequently, the United States Mint opened the following facilities:

Facility Location

Dates of Coining Operation

Mint Mark Used

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

1793 - Present

P or Nothing

New Orleans, Louisiana

1838 - 1909

O

Dahlonega, Georgia

1838 - 1861

D

Charlotte, North Carolina

1837 - 1861

C

San Francisco, California

1854 - Present

S

Carson City, Nevada

1870 - 1893

CC

Denver, Colorado

1906 - Present

D

West Point, New York

1984 - Present

W

Annually each mint facility would send a sample of their coins to the mint headquarters. There they would be assayed by a panel of inspectors. Each coin would be measured to ensure proper diameter and thickness. Additionally, the coins were weighed to make sure they contained the proper amount of precious metal. Finally, the coins were chemically tested to ensure that the proper fineness of precious metal was correct.

If there was a problem with any of the coins, the inspectors would know which mint facility produced it. Then an investigation could be launched to see why the mint facility in question was producing coins that were not measuring up to proper specifications.

This was important in prior years because coins were made with precious metal and people valued the coins based upon the amount of precious metal and the coin.

Currently, since circulating United States coinage contains no precious metal, the mint marks are more of a matter of tradition then quality control.